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Welcome to Close Call Sports. CCS objectively tracks and analyzes close and controversial calls in sport, with great regard for the rules and spirit of the game. Developed from The Left Field Corner: MLB Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (UEFL), whose purpose is to objectively track and analyze umpire ejections, video instant replay reviews and their corresponding calls, with great regard for the rules and spirit of the game.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

MLB Replay Reviews S-23|24: Blakney, Basner (S-1|2)

Instant replay affirmed 1B Umpire Ryan Blakney's out call in the top of the 6th inning and reversed 1B Umpire Toby Basner's out call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Nationals-Astros game. In the 6th, with none out and one on, Nationals batter Jose Lobaton hit a pitch from Astros pitcher Darin Downs to shortstop Jonathan Villar, who threw to second baseman Gregorio Petit to first baseman Japhet Amador for a double play. Upon instant replay review as the result of a challenge by Nationals Manager Matt Williams, Blakney's ruling that Amador possessed the ball and tagged first base prior to Lobaton's arrival was upheld, the call was correct. At the time of the instant replay review, the Nationals were leading, 9-4.

In the 7th, with two out and one on, Astros batter Delino DeShields hit a 3-2 pitch from Nationals pitcher Jerry Levins to shortstop Jose Lozada, who threw to first baseman Tyler Moore as DeShields arrived at first base. Upon instant replay review as the result of a challenge by Astros Manager Bo Porter, 1B Umpire Basner's ruling that Moore caught the ball prior to DeShield's touching first base was overturned, the call was incorrect. As a result of the review, Astros baserunner R2 Jesus Guzman was placed at third base. At the time of the instant replay review, the Nationals were leading, 9-6. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 10-9.